We know this adage saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" and everybody agrees about the impact and the multiple signifiants contained in a photograph. But there is also a story behind all these visual testimonies that were not possible without a personal involvement and a contextual set-up. And it goes as far as the final presentation of the picture in including its sharing support and its specific audience.
In reality there is no picture that can be sustained by itself because many circonstances have or will definite its (temporary) lasting impact. Without these fundamental factors, photographs cannot simply existed.
So, what about these "off the record" or "between lines" stories that may explain more extendedly the context of the photographer's quest. There is a lot of these stories telled in books, articles, interviews done by the photographer itself or by third party interested people. The approch can be academic, journalistic or even literary for some and many are almost if not more fascinating than the picture it is based from. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words but it can also provoke more thousands of words that will enrich the subject and its purpose.
Here are few short memories extracted from my personal modest collection:
Over my "racing" years of photography, many weekends were spent to motorsport assignations and my future and still beloved wife had eventually get frustrate to stay behind when I had these wonderful opportunity of enjoying the glamorous atmosphere of the world of motor races (with the charming girls and the splendid after-race afternoon gatherings!). Although I have mentioned to her that the reality of being a photo-reporter under these circonstances may be in reality a bit different, the doubts had been always there.
So, exceptionally, for one of those three days event, Manon served me as an assistant-photographer into the beautiful (and very scenic) Mont-Tremblant mountain circuit site which can be compare to similar from Spa (Belgium) or Nurburing (Germany) in Europe. And as usual, we have encounter the usual mix of extreme temperature changes (sun, warm, rain. wind, cold). And although we had lot of fun, Manon never ask me again to be assistant and preferred to stay into the full services spectator areas!
Photos Daniel M: Nikon F3 HP / Nikkor AI 300mm F4.5
A German interest (May 1997)
1997 was a big year in my life! I have get married to Manon in previous September 1996 and I started a brand new job on the road for several different photo equipment Canadian distributors as an agent for the Eastern part of the country. As a Leica representative, I had to follow a special seminar about their products and visit their German manufactory at Solms near Wetzlar. As a North-American individual, Germany was a fascinating country considering the recent past history of the second World war and the cold war. The lands, the buildings and the German society have been completely regenerated since forty years but it seems that further past heritage has been also revisited as there were not a lot of in situ testimonies left about the considerable war material and human damages. It proves simply that humanity is a lot stronger than we first think of.
Photo Daniel M: Leica Minilux
The analog days are almost over *** (Key West, August 1997)
*** and I didn't know it!
During a three weeks road trip along the USA east coast, we had finally reached its southest point, Key West. I was still an "analog-film" photographer at that time although I cannot remember exactly which specific camera I have used to do this slide (probably a Nikon F90X / Nikkor AIs 35-70mm F2.8). This picture illustrate my ever interest to do graphic composition with a humanity zest and obviously show the limitations of the analog-film dynamic compare to the digital modern sensors but the special blend of the color rendition and the grain texture of the film was unique by itself. For the record, it will take, at least, another seven years before I definitively adopt the digital gear wave.
Photo Daniel M: Nikon F90X / Nikkor AIs 35-70mm F2.8 (to my best recollection)
A strange new world (Tulum, March 2006)
We were visiting the fascinating Tulum Temple remains and we did record all those antique assembled and sculpted rocks but there was something missing which appeared to be the human essence this new world for the "conquering" Europeans that we were at the time (and not very respectful I must add). Suddenly, I decided to go further near this small beach and I was seduced by its different atmosphere when I saw this mother with her youngsters spending time in the Atlantic breeze. Recording that moment was the highlight of the entire visit.
Photo Daniel M: Nikon D70S / AF-S DX 18-70mm F3.5-4.5
Frames over Frames (Montréal, August 2012)
A snap shot is always a snap shot but without a sharp eye and a sense of anticipation, it is rarely a strong storytelling picture. Picture frames are like small cells of life that contain their own universe and drama. Humanity can be framed into infinite possibilities, contexts and situations. And sometimes these frames are melting themselves or collides in various and interesting ways that photographs can record for posterity. This moment happened just through my beautiful office windows in Old Montreal.
Photo Daniel M: Nikon 1 V1 / VR 10-30mm F3.5-5.6
Cat People (September 2018)
We are "cat people", no doubt about it but, by far, not the first ones, egyptology can attest! And the real question behind this fascination about cat is "what they (the cat) are really thinking of us"? (beside the proven fact that we are their best servants). And why there are so many "cat pictures" all over the Web planet? Yes, we, humans, love them but is it a mutual feeling?
From all the cats that have decided to share their life with my wife and I, we never have received a clear answer. May be they, the cats, kindly decided to tolerate us as a philosophic and a practical point of view. May be they, the cats, want to educate us to a better living manner. May be they, the cats, simply want to enjoy life with our company. May be...
Photo Daniel M: Lumix GX9 / G Vario 12-60mm F3.5-5.6
Golden Light (September 2021)
We are facing difficult times since a few years despite the fact that many of us are still privileged with life but we cannot ignore that many others fellow human are encounting a substantial degradation of their material and psychologic situation. We are searching for hope and a better future far less scary from what many are predicting for us, the kind of "golden" future that will enlighten our universe.
Photo Daniel M: Fujifilm X-Pro2 / XF 50mm F2 WR
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